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Septee Tree
Cordia afra
SA tree no: 652
English: Septee Tree, Cape Cordia, Sand Cordia
Afrikaans: Septeeboom, Ouhout, Kuskordia
Xhosa: Umgqeba, Umnamane, Umqumapayi
Zulu: Umhlahlankomo, Umnamane, Umlovu
Shona: Mutomboti
Tsonga: Nkhaya-hluku
Venda: Mududa
Historical scientific names: Cordia caffra, Cordia grandis, Cordia capensis
Cordia afra, commonly known as Septee or Umgqeba, is a striking indigenous evergreen shrub or small tree. It is highly valued for its dense crown of dark green, somewhat rough leaves, its clusters of beautiful, crinkly white, bell-shaped flowers, and its shiny, orange-red, edible fruits. This attractive plant is a wonderful choice for gardens, especially in coastal or warmer areas.
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Distinguishing features:
Leaves are alternate, elliptic to broadly ovate, dark green, and noticeably rough (scabrid) to the touch, almost like sandpaper.
Flowers are pure white, bell-shaped, delicate and crinkly (crepe-like), borne in dense, terminal clusters.
Fruits are small, fleshy, shiny, and ripen to a vivid orange-red.
Often has a somewhat gnarled or spreading habit, especially in exposed areas.
Overall appearance:
The Septee (Cordia afra) is a handsome evergreen shrub or small tree that forms a dense, often rounded to spreading crown. Its most appealing features are its abundant clusters of pure white, crinkly flowers that burst forth, creating a lovely contrast against the backdrop of its dark green, sandpaper-textured leaves. These flowers are followed by equally attractive, shiny, orange-red fruits that add a vibrant splash of colour.
Height:
Typically grows 3 to 6 metres tall as a shrub or small tree, but can reach up to 10 metres in sheltered conditions.
Width:
Forms a dense, spreading crown, usually 3 to 6 metres wide.
Leaves:
The leaves are alternate, simple, elliptic to broadly ovate or almost round, typically 3-10 cm long and 2-7 cm wide. They are a dull, dark green above and paler beneath. The defining characteristic is their rough, sandpaper-like texture (scabrid), due to stiff hairs. The margins are entire (smooth) or slightly toothed, and the apex is usually blunt or rounded.
Flowers:
The flowers are bell-shaped (campanulate), delicate, and crinkly (crepe-like) in texture, typically 1-1.5 cm in diameter. They are pure white to creamy-white, often with a yellow throat, and are borne in dense, terminal, branched clusters (cymes). The flowers are sweetly scented, attracting pollinators. Cordia afra flowers are usually hermaphroditic, containing both male and female reproductive parts.
Flowering season:
It primarily flowers in spring and early summer (around September to December), but can flower sporadically at other times.
Fruits:
The fruit is a small, fleshy drupe, ovoid to almost spherical, typically 1-1.5 cm in diameter. It ripens from green to a glossy, vivid orange-red, or sometimes bright red. Each fruit usually contains 1-2 seeds, embedded in a sticky, translucent pulp. The fruits are very ornamental and attractive to wildlife.
Seeds:
Each fruit contains 1-2 (rarely more) hard, somewhat pitted seeds. The sticky pulp aids in dispersal, as birds consuming the fruit may stick the seeds to branches or other surfaces.
Bark/Stems:
The bark is light brown to greyish-brown, fairly smooth on young trees, but can become rougher, fissured, or slightly flaky with age. The branches are often somewhat crooked or gnarled, especially in exposed coastal areas.
Thorns:
None.
Wood:
The wood is light-coloured, fairly soft, and easily worked. It is not commercially used for timber but is suitable for small carvings and traditional implements.
Roots:
It has a moderately aggressive root system, which helps it anchor in sandy soils and tolerate windy conditions.
Soil type:
Adaptable to a range of well-drained soils, from sandy to loamy. It thrives in coastal sands and is tolerant of a wide range of pH levels.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun and is exceptionally tolerant of coastal conditions, including strong winds and salt spray. It is also quite drought-tolerant once established. It is sensitive to frost; young plants will need protection, and it is best suited to frost-free or very light-frost areas.
Ediblity:
The ripe fruits are edible for humans. They have a sweet but sticky, somewhat insipid pulp. They are usually eaten fresh and were historically consumed by indigenous people.
Toxicity:
Considered non-toxic.
Uses:
An attractive and highly recommended indigenous tree for gardens, especially in coastal areas, as it is very wind and salt-tolerant. It is excellent as a specimen tree, a screen, a hedge, or for mass planting in larger landscapes. It provides good shade and is a valuable plant for attracting birds. Its edible fruits were a traditional food source.
Ecology:
The attractive, scented white flowers attract a variety of insect pollinators, including bees and butterflies. The abundant, bright orange-red fruits are a major food source for numerous bird species, including loeries (turacos), barbets, starlings, bulbuls, and also monkeys, which are crucial for seed dispersal. The sticky pulp helps seeds adhere to perches. The dense foliage provides good nesting sites and shelter for birds. It is also a larval host plant for the Pearl White butterfly (Mylothris agathina) and the Orange-barred Emperor (Charaxes guderiana).
Distribution and habitat:
Cordia afra is widely distributed along the eastern and southern coastal regions of South Africa, from the Eastern Cape (including Kenton-on-Sea) through KwaZulu-Natal, extending northwards into Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. Its range also extends into neighbouring countries such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini (Swaziland). It typically grows in coastal bush, sand dunes, evergreen forests, and forest margins, often in sandy or rocky soils, from sea level up to medium altitudes.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Cordia honours the German botanist and pharmacist Valerius Cordus (1515-1544).
The species epithet afra is Latin for 'African', indicating its origin on the African continent.
The common name "Septee" is likely derived from an indigenous name or a local corruption.
"Cape Cordia" refers to its prevalence in the Cape region and its genus.
Historical aspects:
Cordia afra has been a significant plant in the coastal ecosystems of Southern Africa for centuries. Its edible fruits were traditionally consumed by indigenous communities, and its wood, though soft, may have been used for minor implements. Its resilience in harsh coastal conditions has made it a robust and enduring part of the region's flora. Its beauty has also led to its increasing popularity in modern horticulture.
Interesting facts:
This tree has leaves that feel like sandpaper! It's a really cool way to identify it.
When it flowers, it produces a burst of pure white, crinkly blooms that look like delicate tissue paper flowers.
Its fruits are like little shiny, orange-red jewels, and they're actually edible – though they can be a bit sticky!
This tree is a coastal champion; it laughs in the face of strong winds and salty air, making it perfect for seaside gardens.
Growing tips:
Propagation: Easily propagated from fresh seed, which can be sown in spring. Cleaning the sticky pulp from the seeds before sowing is beneficial.
Light: Prefers full sun for best growth and flowering, but tolerates partial shade.
Watering: Water regularly during establishment. Once established, it is fairly drought-tolerant, but will benefit from moderate watering, especially during dry periods.
Soil: Adaptable to most well-drained soil types, including sandy and coastal soils.
Frost Protection: Sensitive to frost. Best suited to frost-free or very light-frost areas. Protect young plants from cold.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. Prune to shape or to control size if desired.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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